Mini Nesting Baskets

August 6, 2018

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I had a good amount of Bernat Maker Home Dec yarn leftover after finishing up the Market Tote Bag pattern, so I started brainstorming what to use it for — and came up with these adorable mini baskets!

There’s no doubt that the mini bean stitch is the perfect stitch for a basket, and those colors are to die for. But do you want to know what really sets these baskets apart?

The reinforced sides!

That’s right. As I was working up my first flimsy basket, I kept thinking, there has to be a better way to do this. I was already using a much smaller hook than is recommended for the yarn, and even though it was producing a nice tight fabric, it just wasn’t stiff. The walls of the basket would lose their shape at the slightest touch. Once I got to the top, I thought to myself… maybe I should double layer the sides. So I did, and it helped a little, but it was still missing something. Finally it dawned on me that I had a stack of plastic canvas in my stash. I cut out some strips of it and lined them overlapping inside the basket, then folded the second layer down over it. Perfect!

They still aren’t totally indestructible, but the plastic canvas helps them hold their circular shape, and even the large basket can be picked up with one hand without drooping. It takes a little extra time to crochet up a double layer, but I think you will be so impressed with the finished product that it will be totally worth it.

These nesting baskets come in 3″, 4.5″, and 7″ widths, but once you’ve made one, resizing the pattern to fit your needs should be pretty easy to figure out.

Prefer a PDF?

This pattern can be completed using the 100% free version right here on this page. However, many people prefer the convenience of a printable, ad-free PDF. Below are three options: my popular All Access Pass, the individual PDF pattern, and a Basket Bundle (if you love baskets, it’s a great deal!). Click the image to learn more about each option.

Mini Bean Stitch (MBS): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over, pull through (4 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 4 loops, chain 1 to close stitch. (Please note that this CH1 does count as a stitch in the final stitch counts of each round; so each MBS you complete will count for 2 stitches.)

3rd Loop: Half double crochet stitches have a 3rd loop that we utilize in this pattern. For this pattern the 3rd loop can be found just below the front loop on the side of the work that is facing you. When instructed to work in “3rd loop only”, insert your hook into this special loop. This creates a delicate braided look on the opposite side of the pattern. Also called Camel Stitch or RibHDC.

Notes:(1) This pattern is written in American Standard Terms.
(2) IMPORTANT: Part of this pattern is worked in joined rounds, and part of it is worked seamlessly. Pay attention, and only join, chain and/or turn when specifically instructed. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your rounds when working seamlessly.
(3) The finished size of each basket is listed on its individual pattern.

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SMALL BASKET

Yardage: 30 yardsFinished Size: 3″ wide x 1.5″ tall

To Begin: With larger hook, make a magic circle; CH1 (does not count as a stitch).

Round 1: 6SC in MC; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (6)

Round 2: CH1. 2SC in each ST around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (12)

Round 3: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in next ST) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (18)

Round 4: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 2 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (24)

Round 5: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 3 STS) around. DO NOT JOIN. (30)

Rounds 6-8: (MBS in next ST, SK next ST) around. (30, or 15 beans)

Round 9: (MBS in next ST, SK next ST) around. SL ST to the top of the first ST of the round to join. (30, or 15 beans)

Round 10: CH1. HDC in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first ST of the round. (30)

Switch to smaller hook.

Round 11: CH1, TURN. SC in 3rd loops of each ST around. DO NOT JOIN. (30)

Rounds 12-15: SC in each ST around. DO NOT JOIN. (30)

QUICK CHECK: Remove your hook and fold the top half of the basket down into the center to create a double-layered side. The round of 3rd loops we did earlier (which looks like a braid around the edge) should be at the top of the basket, and down inside, the last round of single crochets should be touching the floor of the basket but not crowding it. You may need to add or remove a round or two of single crochets to achieve this.

To finish: Unfold your basket, reinsert your hook into the last stitch, and SL ST to the first ST of the final round. Fasten off and weave in ends. Proceed to “Adding Plastic Canvas” (included at the end of the pattern).

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MEDIUM BASKET

Yardage: 80 yardsFinished Size: 4.5″ wide x 2.25″ tall

To Begin: With larger hook, make a magic circle; CH1 (does not count as a stitch).

Round 1: 6SC in MC; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (6)

Round 2: CH1. 2SC in each ST around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (12)

Round 3: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in next ST) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (18)

Round 4: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 2 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (24)

Round 5: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 3 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (30)

Round 6: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 4 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (36)

Round 7: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 5 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (42)

Round 8: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 6 STS) around. DO NOT JOIN. (48)

Rounds 9-14: (MBS in next ST, SK next ST) around. (48, or 24 beans)

Round 15: (MBS in next ST, SK next ST) around. SL ST to the top of the first ST of the round to join. (48, or 24 beans)

Round 16: CH1. HDC in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first ST of the round. (48)

Switch to smaller hook.

Round 17: CH1, TURN. SC in 3rd loops of each ST around. DO NOT JOIN. (48)

Rounds 18-26: SC in each ST around. DO NOT JOIN. (48)

QUICK CHECK: Remove your hook and fold the top half of the basket down into the center to create a double-layered side. The round of 3rd loops we did earlier (which looks like a braid around the edge) should be at the top of the basket, and down inside, the last round of single crochets should be touching the floor of the basket but not crowding it. You may need to add or remove a round or two of single crochets to achieve this.

To finish: Unfold your basket, reinsert your hook into the last stitch, and SL ST to the first ST of the final round. Fasten off and weave in ends. Proceed to “Adding Plastic Canvas” (included at the end of the pattern).

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LARGE BASKET

Yardage: 160 yardsFinished Size: 7″ wide x 3″ tall

To Begin: With larger hook, make a magic circle; CH1 (does not count as a stitch).

Round 1: 6SC in MC; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (6)

Round 2: CH1. 2SC in each ST around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (12)

Round 3: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in next ST) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (18)

Round 4: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 2 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (24)

Round 5: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 3 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (30)

Round 6: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 4 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (36)

Round 7: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 5 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (42)

Round 8: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 6 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (48)

Round 9: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 7 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (54)

Round 10: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 8 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (60)

Round 11: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 9 STS) around; join with a SL ST to the top of the first SC. (66)

Round 12: CH1. (2SC in next ST, SC in each of the next 10 STS) around. DO NOT JOIN. (72)

Rounds 13-21: (MBS in next ST, SK next ST) around. (72, or 36 beans)

Round 22: (MBS in next ST, SK next ST) around. SL ST to the top of the first ST of the round to join. (72, or 36 beans)

Round 23: CH1. HDC in each ST around. Join with a SL ST to the top of the first ST of the round. (72)

Switch to smaller hook.

Round 24: CH1, TURN. SC in 3rd loops of each ST around. DO NOT JOIN. (72)

Rounds 25-35: SC in each ST around. DO NOT JOIN. (72)

QUICK CHECK: Remove your hook and fold the top half of the basket down into the center to create a double-layered side. The round of 3rd loops we did earlier (which looks like a braid around the edge) should be at the top of the basket, and down inside, the last round of single crochets should be touching the floor of the basket but not crowding it. You may need to add or remove a round or two of single crochets to achieve this.

To finish: Unfold your basket, reinsert your hook into the last stitch, and SL ST to the first ST of the final round. Fasten off and weave in ends. Proceed to “Adding Plastic Canvas.”

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Adding Plastic Canvas

Cut two pieces of plastic canvas that are just slightly shorter than the single crocheted portion of your basket (the part we are folding over). The length of the plastic canvas isn’t important; just cut across the entire sheet. Roll the pieces of canvas up together into a small tube and place it down inside the basket. Work with it so that it is up against the walls of the basket, and touching the floor of the basket. Then, fold the single crocheted portion of the basket into the middle, over the canvas, so that the canvas is hidden inside. Use your fingers to smooth down any wavy areas until the middle of the basket is smooth and round.

Hi Rebecca, I really love this pattern, thanks. One question, on each round with the bean stitch, do the beans stack, or do they offset? With 72 sts in the round, we start with a bean plus the chain one, and we end with a bean plus a chain one as stitch 72; that would mean that the bean stitches would stack. I’m not sure if I’m right, though. ??!

I tried plastic canvas also several years ago to firm up my baskets but never thought to keep crocheting to provide a over up of the plastic canvas (which was the part I didn’t like about my version). I love these baskets and excited to try so I won’t have floppy baskets anymore.

You are amazing!!! Thanks for always having such great patterns and tutorials. I used to crochet a VERY long time ago and stopped because I didn’t like the end product, and now I am back at it again because of your patterns; Very stylish and not gramaish lol. Thanks again LOVE these simple but gorgeous mini nesting baskets.

On the MBS rounds – you can’t skip a full stitch or the count reduces 50%. If I make the bean stitches in the prior stitch, the stitches stack abd don’t offset. All I can do to get the offset is to make the next round of stitches in the closing chain?

Hi Rebecca, I really love this pattern, thanks. One question, on each round with the bean stitch, do the beans stack, or do they offset? With 72 sts in the round, we start with a bean plus the chain one, and we end with a bean plus a chain one as stitch 72; that would mean that the bean stitches would stack. I’m not sure if I’m right, though. ???

Totally love your site. My actual name is Chai, I was excited to see a crochet site with my name in it. Thank you so much for sharing the plastic canvas tip. I love to make baskets however like you didn’t like them being flimsy. I can’t wait to try this now.

Thank you so much for this most. I can’t wait to make a double sized extra large one to use as a Cat basket/bed.
Never would have thought to use the plastic canvas to reinforce the sides. So basic but never occurred to me. Thank You!
IRYNA

I love these baskets, what a great idea to firm them up also!!!! I can’t wait to try these for myself. I haven’t been crocheting for very long but have started to try some different things and have been wanting to make a basket or two (also I think my granddaughters will love these for their special little things, Shopkins, My Little Pony’s, etc!!!! Not to mention the “few” markers, pencils and crayons Grandma got for them lol.
What yarn and weight did you recommend to use? Where can we/I get the “canvas” to use also?
Thank You So Cery Much 😃

Hi Lynn! It should have come in your email, but you can also log in to your Yarn + Chai account and get it from your Downloads tab. Please email me at rebecca@yarnandchai.com if you need further assistance. 🙂